Guten Tag!

June 2010

June 11, 2010

The past week or so, Mr. Lush and I have been going on early evening walks together after dinner before the sun begins dipping down on the horizon, enjoying the beauty in and around our little German village. He lugs along the tripod and camera, a heavy, uncomfortable weight on his shoulder--acting as my pack mule. I walk, briskly unencumbered, chatting endlessly about myself and laughing at my own jokes. We make a good team.

Last night we walked through the forest near the house where we've discovered amazing cross country trails for our runs together. It's a dark, shaded forest where the most incredible silence fills the space. Sunlight filters in and dapples the undergrowth. Above, tree branches sway in the breezes as thousands of tiny leaves flutter and soak in the light. It's a bit of a magical place in my mind...somewhat of a world within a world. It's definitely a favorite spot to relax. Tex seems to enjoy it as well, if a constant need to sniff and urinate on every square inch of the place counts for anything.

That was yesterday evening. Today is a new day. In fact, it is sixteen years to the day I captured and married Mr. Lush, in a small church along the Hudson River in New York. All day long I've been thinking, 'Sixteen years! And he still hasn't been able to find a way to escape! I'm so lucky! May he never find the keys to his shackles!' Really though, he is the best. We will celebrate our special day down at our dear, little Trafo tonight over beer and Schnitzel. How romantic!

As for the future here in Eurolush-land...a quiet time lies ahead. A week from tomorrow the kids (and dog) and I head back to the States. We'll be there until the first week of August, with me comfortably ensconced back into the nest (my parents' house) and both kids at summer camp in the mountains of North Carolina.

I'm very excited about spending time with the family--and the possibility of a meet-up with two of my favorite people (and bloggers) in NYC over the 4th of July weekend. So excited!

As for now, this may be my last post for a few weeks. There's so much to do between now and next Saturday. My head's spinning just thinking about it.

Hope this summer is a restful, relaxing and fun time for everyone. I look forward to keeping up with my blog reading while I'm gone and checking in with all my buddies. If you haven't heard from me in a long while, please know that I truly appreciate every comment and email I receive. At the moment, I am a lame correspondent...will try harder to do better!

This is yet another small collection I've been adding to now and then, when I come across interesting old German pull-down classroom maps and teaching aids.

Some of them are graphic and colorful. Others are beautifully organic.

I find these nearly impossible to resist.

The one below is a potato plant--complete with a potato bug!

I also like the ones featuring animals.

This next one is a favorite.

Haven't you ever wanted to see the skull of a rabbit or the insides of a horse before?

Of course, minute sea life may be more up your alley.

I also have a bunch of maps--mostly of Germany.

This one I bought a couple of years ago:

Not sure how I'll use these for the time being, though I envision some of them hanging in our next house, wherever that will be. I may sell a few on etsy some day...if I ever actually get around to opening a little shop.

Every time I come home from the Homburg Flea Market, I'm amazed at what I've managed to find. This month it was two large rolls of homespun German linen, an antique glass wine container in the prettiest shade of green (second from right) and an amazing vintage map of the U.S.

I love the map--its simplicity and color.

I have all kinds of ideas for how to use the linen.

It would make a wonderful table runner...and napkins...and maybe placemats, too.

Let's just say I have a lot to work with here.

I also managed to find the giant versions of the old German Easter rabbits I found last year. My heart squealed with delight when I saw these. They are cast iron--and very heavy!

I've started yet another collection, which I will share later today in Flea Market Finds Part III. It's something I'm really excited to show you...

June 05, 2010

Though I've given you little reason lately to believe it's so, I'm still wandering through the German countryside with my furry friend and sidekick, Tex.

Mornings are spent following familiar paths, enjoying the solitude and the quiet.

Soft breezes and the smells of grasses and flowers wafting through the air make the walks all the more pleasant.

Small shafts of sunlight make their way through the leaves.

Fields are filled with pinky-purple clover blossoms beckoning for the cows to return.

All around are the sure signs of summer.

Tex is enjoying the walks and the myriad of fantastic smells--each delicate and in need of further investigation. Every once in a while his tail starts wagging furiously and he pounces into the tall grass, disappearing momentarily. The scent of a tiny field mouse, perhaps? 'Tis a mystery.